Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Genre TV literacy, found family, and online fan culture acceleration.

Why it matters

Episode guide

144 episodes across 7 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.

At a glance

Buffy Summers fights vampires and demons while high school (then adulthood) metaphors do the real bleeding. Found family, witty horror, and genre literacy weekly. The Hellmouth is a character.

Network & studio

• The WB — broadcast network
• UPN — broadcast network

Why watch now

Genre TV seminary — metaphors with punchlines, and fandom culture acceleration in real time.

Cultural impact

Buffy trained a generation in feminist genre reading and online fan culture. Later reckoning with the creator’s reputation is part of its complicated afterlife.

Creators

Joss Whedon

Key cast

• Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers
• Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg
• Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris
• Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles
• James Marsters as Spike
• David Boreanaz as Angel
• Emma Caulfield as Anya Jenkins
• Amber Benson as Tara Maclay

Flash facts

• Teen supernatural drama (1997–2003) created by Joss Whedon, based on his 1992 film concept.
• Aired on The WB then UPN; seven seasons of monster metaphors and ensemble “Scooby gang” lore.
• Spin-off Angel (1999–2004) followed David Boreanaz’s character to Los Angeles.
• Influential for genre TV writing, fan culture, and witty ensemble dialogue.
• Continued in comics and other media after the televised finale.

FAQ

Back to the decade

More from the 1990s — Must-See & Must-Talk. All shows.